LONDON: England lost wicket at regular intervals on a rain marred day to keep the visiting Lankans in contention during the opening match of the one-day international series at The Oval on Tuesday.
Earlier Sri Lanka won the toss and put England into bat under cloudy skies and constant threat of rain.
Tillakaratne Dilshan, back after a broken thumb, returned as captain for Sri Lanka and replaced Thisara Perera in the only change to the team that thrashed England by nine wickets in the one-off Twenty20 in Bristol on Saturday.
Sri Lanka opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya was making the final appearance of his distinguished 22-year international career. It was his 445th ODI.
Paceman Tim Bresnan, who was a late addition to England’s squad after recovering from a calf injury, was drafted straight into the team on Tuesday, while batsman Ian Bell was included having been left out of the heavy T20 defeat.
Meanwhile, Alastair Cook’s first innings as England’s full-time captain lasted just three deliveries, as the first ODI against Sri Lanka at The Oval was interrupted by a thunderstorm after seven overs of the match.
Cook’s first appearance in a limited-overs international for 15 months started promisingly when he clipped Lasith Malinga for a single and a four off his pads in the opening over of the match. However, Malinga’s very next delivery, his first of the third over, swung invitingly down the leg side, only for Cook to snick another attempted glance straight into the gloves of Kumar Sangakkara. (Agencies)